We found that leaders are more aggressive in addressing people, processes, and technology. Leaders understand the importance of these three pillars in supporting optimization efforts. They are ahead in nearly all aspects, but in certain areas, particularly those steeped in change management, they far outstrip others.

Tellingly, the top three optimization steps taken by leaders feature one element from each of these pillars. In each instance, leaders are substantially more likely to be taking these steps than others. On the technology front, 65% of leaders are modernizing IT platforms and systems to optimize business processes, compared to just 56% of non-leaders.

On the process front, 60% of leaders are improving coordination across departments and functions versus just 44% of non-leaders. On the people front, leaders are pursuing the provision of optimization training and upskilling in vastly greater numbers than non-leaders: 57% versus just 37%.

Leaders understand that it’s not enough to provide staff with better technology. To be effective, organizations need to ensure their people can make the most of the tools presented to them. Leaders are also well ahead in steps that inspire and motivate the workforce. They are significantly more likely to provide a vision and objectives around optimization, as well as to build a process optimization culture. Leaders are fully committed to optimization and are embracing core elements of change management to get it done.

We packed this issue of Workflow Quarterly with insights chosen to help you navigate the digital revolution. ServiceNow CIO Chris Bedi presents the three key elements of a digital operating model. (Spoiler alert: they include information, convenience, and exclusivity.)

We also profile process-mining pioneer Celonis, and interview Yoshua Bengio, one of the world’s leading AI researchers. Bengio is currently working on robust AI systems that can assist humans in decision-making based on estimated causation as well as correlation of events. In the future, we can expect these intelligent systems to drive process optimization efforts in every industry. When that happens, remember you read it here first.